With the goal of making East Cleveland a more vibrant, connected and resilient city, the City of East Cleveland worked with County Planning to update its zoning and regulatory processes.
East Cleveland Zoning Code Updates
East Cleveland City Council adopted zoning changes, including new Zoning Overlays, new Subdivision regulations, updated Powers & Duties, and an updated Zoning Map on September 15, 2026.
- East Cleveland City Council adopted new design guidelines on June 16, 2026.
East Cleveland City Council adopted zoning changes, including new Zoning Overlays, new Subdivision regulations, updated Powers & Duties, and an updated Zoning Map on September 15, 2026.In 2022, the City of East Cleveland requested County Planning’s assistance to update regulations with the following overarching goals:
- Develop zoning text to regulate new residential and commercial construction, especially in areas that are experiencing development pressures
- Streamline the planning and zoning process to allow the desired types of development
- Add modern requirements to ensure attractive and sustainable development
Documents
To achieve these goals, several deliverables were produced and then adopted in June and September of 2026:
- New Commercial & Residential Zoning Overlays (as adopted on 9/15/26)
- Updated Powers & Duties (as adopted on 9/15/26)
- New Subdivision Regulations (as adopted on 9/15/26)
- An Updated Zoning Map
- New Design Guidelines (as adopted on 6/16/26)
To request the most up-to-date regulations, contact the East Cleveland City Council Office or visit www.eastcleveland.org.
Background
The City’s zoning code is more than 70 years old, with most sections dating back to 1953 and only had limited, patchwork updates, which made East Cleveland’s zoning code difficult to administer effectively. The newly adopted regulations addressed the following key issues:
- Lack of modern land use definitions and clear standards for quality development, including landscaping, parking, lighting, and design
- Unclear project approval processes, inconsistent board roles, and weak enforcement language
- An outdated zoning map
These zoning changes are primarily informed by the East Cleveland Land Use Strategic Plan, completed in 2023 and adopted by City Council in April 2026. This plan identified target areas for redevelopment, recommended land use strategies, and highlighted issues in the existing zoning code that need updating to better support the desired development. The following plans also helped shape these zoning updates:
- Development Framework & Target Area Plan for East Cleveland’s Euclid District (2015)
- City of East Cleveland Visioning Project (2020)
- Action Plan for East Cleveland Target Area (2022)
- Connect EC Placemaking Plan (2023)
County Planning also applied insights from its regional work, such as the Single-Family Zoning Analysis and Transit-Oriented Development Zoning Study, to tailor best practices specifically for East Cleveland.
Presentations
County Planning provided a comprehensive joint presentation outlining all project deliverables to East Cleveland City Council, the City’s boards and commissions, and the public on May 6, 2026. Follow‑up meetings with individual boards and commissions were held to review specific items in more detail.
Contact Us
Questions or comments about East Cleveland Zoning Changes should be directed to:
Mr. Patrick Hewitt, AICP
Assistant Director
phewitt@cuyahogacounty.gov